The
Holy Martyr Alexander of Soluneia was arrested by pagans for confessing the
Christian faith. Under the emperor Maximian (305-311) he not only openly called
himself a Christian, but in answer to the demand to offer sacrifice to the
gods, he overturned the idolatrous sacrifice in indignation. The emperor gave
orders to behead the saint. When the execution was done, the emperor and the
executioner saw how an Heavenly Angel came forth bearing up to the heavens the
soul of the holy Martyr Alexander. The emperor permitted Christians to bury the
body of the saint with honour in the city of Soluneia, which they did with joy.